Description:

Objective:

The emerging living roof industry asserts numerous benefits for the adoption of living roofs. Data has been collected by researchers and industry on some systems and components. However, a comprehensive systems approach for evaluation and procurement of living roofs has not been established. Currently, technical, educational and policy barriers thwart increased adoption of living roof systems in residential and commercial settings.

Approach:

Our team has four deliverables during Phase I of the P3 project period: a website “www.evergreenroofs.com”, accumulation of data on existing living roof systems, compilation of, and proficiency with methods used to evaluate living roofs, and a software design to facilitate green roof procurement. The initial scope of the project will focus on roofing systems for the maritime Pacific Northwest, but development will not preclude data integration from other areas.

Expected Results:

The strategy for measuring results is primary experimentation on two existing living roofs installed at the Evergreen State College, and data provided by a partner from six residential roof installations in the Puget Sound region. Secondarily, the goals of our research are to collect published studies on living roofs, to gather and analyze existing living roof data in the Pacific Northwest, to understand and utilize standard methods of analysis to assess living roofs’ functions, and to design appropriate data-handling structures and algorithms to incorporate the information we obtain into a software product. The P3 concepts will be integrated into curriculum through core programs, reports in elective classes, individual and cluster learning contracts with faculty member oversight, and integration with student theses. In addition, students participating in the project will have opportunities for outreach to clubs and activities at Evergreen and at professional conferences.

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.